OK, this is for the ones that go to Aruba every year.

I would like to have the old timers ( I use that term lightly) give us some examples of their 1st couple of times going and what they saw and felt compared to now, Do you think it is too commercial now to many people, for good or bad, just interested in the old Aruba when it was up and coming as a vacation spot. Thanks in advance for info

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Karen

We have vacationed in Aruba 3 times in the past 5 years, and I can tell a difference from just 5 years ago. We have always stayed at the Wyndham, and it seems to be busier each year we go. Aruba is getting more "commercialized" and we were upset to learn about the huge water park they are going to build. It may just become another run of the mill tourist trap. My husband and I were just talking the other day about finding another "up and coming" island to visit - BEFORE it gets too popular.

Well, I can't say that we have been going to Aruba as far back as you indicate but we have been going since 1994 and are returning this November. There has been a lot of growth in tourism since '94 and even heard plans for new development around the Baby Beach area. Traffic has gotten worse downtown since we first went as well. We always rent a 4x4 for a few days and take at least one day to travel to the winward side of the island. We notice on our last trip, I believe around the Boca Prins area, someone had built a kind of mini-mart. We didn't stop to see what was inside. We don't mind continued development so much on the leeward side of the island but we do have concerns about building anything on the other side. But hey, it's there country and we're just their guest. We still love it there and are now counting the days for our return.

Been going to Aruba since late 70's/early 80's

loads of development.......where do I begin?

Some fond recollections.......exiting the plane to the tarmac and feeling the warmth of the sun! buying souvenirs from pushcarts on the runways!

less traffic less restaurant selections less rush no cruise ships in port

no fast food if i remember correctly there was more than one natural bridge

better bartering on jewelry oh grocery stores as we know them did not exist they were small, dark and the refirgeration section was limited

Thank you for reminding me about the airport. Gosh, I'd forgotten about that. What a change for the better since we made our first trip in '94. The old airport you actually de-planed from the old roll-up stairway onto the tarmac and walked to the building. The old airport was cramped and stuffy. Ah, fond memories of the past. Thanks again!

We have been going for 5 years. I hate to admit it, but I kind of like it better because:
1) Airport bigger, better, more organized (no more outside deplaning and hair that looked like Tina Turner's before getting to LaCabana). Lines move faster.
2) I think restaurants have improved.
3) Better service at resorts due to upgrading computer systems- check-in is faster.
4) Able to order more things online before you arrive - reservations for restaurants, cruises, groceries, cell phone rentals, etc.
5) More internet access for teenage girl.

Traffic is much worse, however.
Just my thoughts.

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I've been going to Aruba since 90 and lived there from 92-99 and I don't really care for the Aruba of today. They have torn down so much of their historic buildings, lost alot of their tradtions and flavor and to me, Aruba now feels like South Beach Florida. Too Americanized and too much emphasis on the tourist dollars.....Curacao has SO MUCH history and still has the Dutch European feel. I know alot of Americans like things to be like back home, like fast food restaurants and American ambience, but when I travel overseas I want the flavor of the people and their history....not a mini USA....
I still love Aruba and go once or twice a year, but like AndreaJ said it was nicer when the pace was more Aruban, slower and less fast food joints !!!

i remember one tourist posting on the internet a few years ago 'why can't aruba be more american. why can't we just make it one of our territories?' i didn't know whether to laugh or find out where she lived and mutilate her.

i miss some of the old aruba. i loved the old airport, stuffy, barely air conditioned and so comfortable and slightly foreign. i loved the still open spaces that were left in the high rise area that weren't filled with restaurants and fast food places.

however, i also realize there is another side to this. i remember an aruban piping up on that same board that the first fast food places were put up not for the tourists but because the arubans wanted them. does that make it americanized? i don't think so. the fact that when you walk into wendy's someone actually says 'can i help you?' or how about 'thank you' proves to me that we are somewhere other than the states. because no matter what, that is the thing that sets aruba apart from other attempted 'american annexes'. the people of aruba haven't really changed. their hearts and heads are still aruban. their love for their island and their legitimate pride in their island is obvious.

as long as that doesn't change, i'll be spending my vacation times on the island of aruba.

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I've been going to Aruba since 1979.There have been so many changes(I think for the most part) it's for the better.It is more crowded,but that helps Arubas economy.We might not like it,but....FULL HOTELS &
FULL RESTAURANTS..makes a HAPPY ARUBA.
I did like coming off the plane on the runway,but
I appreciate an AIR CONDITIONED AIRPORT!

Back then...there was NO CRIME...Now,I'm sorry to
say,there is some..But far less than any other Island. More Restaurants...GREAT...More HOTELS...
and MORE TIMESHARES...NO SO GREAT..It's getting to
CROWDED and it's going to spoil it's charm...
HOWEVER,I would not go anywhere else..I love it there..That's why I own 5 weeks Timeshare!

Boy.. 5 weeks in Aruba. How do you do it? I'd need some serious variety. I look at Aruba as a Foreign Island. If I want fast food and high rises, I can go to Virginia Beach. It is becoming to Americanized. Being American.. that's not all bad but when I vacation, I want to get away from all that. Unfortunately unless you get shipwrecked on a remote island, they are all getting like that.

We've been traveling to Aruba since 1985. There have been many changes which people have already pointed out. However, here are some additional changes I've seen:

- When we first stayed at the Tamarijn in 1985 they didn't have TVs in the room, only radios

- They didn't have the daily newspapers

- They didn't give out bags of coupons at the airport

- Almost all of the staff at the hotels were Aruban, and everyone spoke English

- You had to pay a departure tax at the airport, and had to remember to save enough money to pay it

- There were fewer watersports operators

- There were fewer choices of beer

- You had to clear U.S. Immigration and Customs when you reached the U.S., not when leaving Aruba

- El Gaucho was a very small restaurant with only about 12 tables

- Driftwood was really a bar with some booths and tables

- Papiamento was located in Oranjestad, not at their present location in Noord

I know there's a lot more, but the above is what quickly came to mind in addition to what's already been stated.

Do I like all of the changes, no. Do I hate all of the changes, no. Just like anything else in life I like some, don't like others, but can appreciate why all the changes happened.

That being said, the one thing that has never changed in 19 years is the wonderful Aruban people. That alone will keep me going back to Aruba. We also own 5 weeks of timeshare in Aruba. However, we also travel to other parts of the world. While I enjoy seeing new places, I love to return to my home away from home in Aruba. I love getting together with the many Aruban friends I've made over the years, as well as seeing our friends that own the same weeks of timeshare that we do.

I also used to grumble about Aruba becoming too Americanized, but my Aruban friends have set me straight. If I don't want American fast food I don't go to those restaurants (which I never do when I'm in Aruba), but they want those fast food restaurants there so they are free to use them whenever they choose. I just ignore the things that used to bother me (like all the fast food restaurants), and my friends help by taking me to local restaurants or inviting us for a home cooked meal.

I also realize that with all of the technology out there the world has really become a very small place. If you really want an undisturbed, quiet place, where you can control the atmosphere, you'll need to buy your own private island. Otherwise you'll continue to see changes no matter where you go.

In my opinion the plusses far outweigh the minuses, and I see myself returning to Aruba for many years to come.

Everyone hit on what I like and don't like as much about the present Aruba. I used to bellyache upon landing when I used to sweat "schlepping" my carry-on down the steps to the tarmac since it weighs a ton.... but now I miss that... it was my first "feeling" of the island. Being a smoker, I liked being able to smoke in the old open air airport while I waited for my luggage. The moritorium on building was a plus since the traffic is terrible.... I'm sometimes leery of driving even to the supermarket ...but... another plus.... the supermarkets. It's a pleasure being able to buy all the things I need. My most favorite current thing is having customs in Aruba. I remember having to go through in both Miami and Puerto Rico which was a real pain causing me to almost miss my connections a couple of times. I see none of the old charm gone... It's all about the people and the ambiance..... they have remained a constant.

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The countdown's begun!
January 30th to February 27th!

I agree with you 100%, Carol! I think every place we visit is going to change as the years go on.

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I also agree with Carol's response - everything changes, just as we do. The charm of deplaning on the airport tarmac is indeed memorable, and the fast food restaurants are a vision of Americana, but these changes all come with valid reasons for them. It is important that we understand that McDonalds etc is there for Arubans, not us. If we want it, fine (shame!), but don't decry it as too much Americanization - these changes are a natural byproduct of growth and popularity. If hardly anyone went there, the airport would still be small and stuffy, etc...

I'll keep coming back until they say I'm no longer welcome! As long as RonB doesn't run for office there, I should be safe

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Seriously, I have to laugh when people state that McDonalds, Wendy's and Pizza Hut etc etc where put there for Arubans.....quite the contrary. I lived in Aruba from 92-99 and Arubans do not like the fast food restaurants (except the young aruban kids) Arubans were not happy to see those establishments come to the island. They regard it as junk food and point to the fact that America is the most over weight nation in the world. The fast food joints were concentrated downtown for the cruise ship tourists and out by the high rise hotels for the tourists also.......Arubans still believe in closing shop at 5pm and going home to cook their meals.....past the airport going towards San Nicolas there is only a Wendy's.......and a Taco Bell in Santa Cruz. There are only 3 fast food restaurants that I can thin of in the residential areas of Aruba......Trust me, the fast food restuarants were a response to the wants and desires of Americans and American chains. My mother in law and many of her neighbors would moan the proliferation of the "grease food" as they called it..........

Personally I like that some of them are there, especially Pizza Hut, cause they only use (Dutch)Gouda Cheese on their pizza's and it's 10 times better than Pizza back here in the states......but with everything and everyplace popularity has a price......but believe me, McDonalds, Wendy's and the rest of em knew that the islanders would never make them rich......however the masses of tourists would !!!

Last year, we spent 11 days in Italy. Not a fast food restaurant to be seen! Then we arrived in Milan. It the middle of the city, is a huge, 2 story Burger King. Some of us pathetic folks on the tour headed that way, dying for a hamburger. It was packed with Italians!! They seemed to love it. We were shocked.

I had also seen, seashell, more Arubans in the Wendy's downtown than tourists. I think it is the appeal of something new, plus the fact that fatty foods are tasty to us humans!

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what's funny is that when i first saw a mcdonalds in aruba i remarked to our aruban friend that it must have been put there for tourists. she said absolutely not. aruban families wanted it. almost every time i walk past the place it is filled with non tourists.

years ago we were on a cruise and stopped in nassau. we got off of the boat contemplating what to do and realized we were thirsty. we saw mcdonalds and laughingly headed toward it for a coke. besides the fact that the prices were insane (1984 and $3 for a big mac) the place was completely packed with what seemed to be half of the cruise ship. with all the wonderful food on this cruise, these bizarre people had a 'mac attack'. we left and found a coke machine to quench our thirst.

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[QUOTE=seashelldiver]Seriously, I have to laugh when people state that McDonalds, Wendy's and Pizza Hut etc etc where put there for Arubans.....quite the contrary. I lived in Aruba from 92-99 and Arubans do not like the fast food restaurants (except the young aruban kids) Arubans were not happy to see those establishments come to the island. "


Maybe they were not "put there" for the Arubans, but they are certainly serving the Aruban citizens well.....(employment and quick meals)
EVERY time we arrive in Aruba and depart Aruba, we stop @ Wendy's for a snack. Most times we are the only non-Arubans in the joint.
Let's face it, Aruba and its economy survive with American businesses whether we (the visitors) like it or not. I personally think that we do like it although may not readily admit. (my opinion as i really have no right to tell you all what you do like or dislike)
McDonalds, Carnival Cruise, Royal Caribbean Cruise, Wendys, TacoBell, Dunkin Donuts, Marriott, Radisson, Hyatt, Holiday Inn, Best Western, Avis, Hertz, Budget, Ford, GM, Chrysler, PADI, NAUI, AMerican Airlines, Delta, USair, Continental, Valero, Sealand, YMCA, TSA, UsCustoms, Coca Cola, PepsiCo, Proctor and Gamble, Raytheon, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Borden, USSteel...........................sorry, I got carried away.
So, maybe "we" have created another America. But "we and Aruba" seem to readily accept the Americanization process. America is pretty much EVERYWHERE and in some places more easily disguised.
I love Aruba, past, present and future.

Seashelldiver, maybe your family and friends didn't want the fast food establishments in Aruba, but there are Arubans who want it there. I was told by my Aruban friends that they like having them around so they can pick up a quick lunch when they are out doing errands. They also like to have them there for their children.

I don't frequent these restaurants in Aruba, but the two times we did, it was filled with Arubans, not tourists. The first time was one afternoon when we were shopping downtown. My father was very thirsty, and we happened to be close to the MacDonalds in the Seaport Mall. He stopped in to get a coke, and we were the only tourists in the restaurant. The second time was on a Sunday night. We had just arrived, and we just wanted something quick for dinner. We decided to try Pizza Hut on the recommendation of an Aruban friend. The restaurant was filled with Aruban families, and there were only a few tables of tourists. In addition, there were doing a big take out business that night, and again it was mainly with Arubans. While we did enjoy the pizza, we never went back as I just couldn't bring myself to go to one of the American fast food restaurants again. If I want pizza in Aruba now, I either get it from Hostria da' Vittorio or Tomato Charlies.

As I said previously, I grumbled when the American fast food restaurants started popping up in Aruba. I didn't want to see them in "my island paradise". However, after talking with my Aruban friends, they gave me their reasons on why they liked having them there. I realized I was being selfish, and all I had had to do was ignore them. They probably did build most of them in areas where there are tourists, but they also happen to be areas where people work and live. So, while they probably hope for some tourist traffic due to their location, they couldn't survive without the residents' business.

I also realize that no where in the world is safe from these fast food restaurants. They are popping up everywhere, and I'm going to just continue ignoring them wherever I travel.

Hi Arubian Lovers
I can recall when we went to Aruba and stayed in our very own timeshare located at Casa Del Mar. In the early morning we would take the bus to Orangestad. It would then stop by the dock where the small stands are located. As there was no fast food restaurants we had our breakfast in an arubian restarant in the mall, The mall was and still is located by the bridge in Orangestad. We enjoyed an Arubian breakfast prepared by Arubian people and you could feel the peace and stressless life of this island. We would then go for a walk along the avenue nearby where tourist stores were located and bought our purchases to take home to our friends and families. Again the flavor of peaceful people and a happy island prevailed. As you stated it was more like going to a foreign land and always wanting to come back for more of what you found.

I am from Chicago and traffic there is no big deal. I luv the place. When I cam back, I actually went onlive to see if there were any jobs...just in case I wanted to relocate. I can't believe how nice it is there.

I think every topic has been hit upon and it's interesting to note that for every thing somebody dislikes, there is another who likes it! Change is inevitable. I think everyone would love to have their "own little private island getaway", but that's pretty selfish thinking. Would the same people stand against progress in their home town just because tourists wanted to keep it old?!? I think not.

We also have fond memories of the old airport tarmac and, again, EVERYBODY there complaining about it!!! hahaha Almost everything that people now say they miss, was something everybody was complaining about back then. Bad airport, not enough groceries, old rooms, no air, mold, bad roads, no where to eat, shop. Read the latest posts...now the hotel is too far from the water and the elevator is too slow, etc.!!! Go figure. I think Americans are just prone to complaining...look at me complaining about the complaining!!

We keep going back because Aruba is still Aruba at heart! The people are still the same wonderful people, we still spend alot of time off the beaten path (there's still plenty) and we still feel it is much slower pace than at home...because we INTEND it to be that way.

I don't know what Arubans want but it's a pretty good guess they want what everybody wants.....more! One of our Aruban friends told us in Sept. that she dislikes all the building..but she loves her new SUV that all the new business brought in! Ahhh...the most famous catch 22 of all!

And yes...Macs and Taco Bell were full of Arubans every time we went! Their playgrounds were fun for my runts and they had a good time playing with the Aruban kids! Kids....they don't know enough to analyze or complain...they just go DO! Maybe there's a metaphor there????

We will be back loving it in Sept. and wondering what will be new an exciting and also what will be old and exciting!!

There's good and bad in everything...which one makes you feel better to look for?

LRW

Team Texas -

SO WELL PUT!! I agree 100%!

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Well said Team Texas. I guess what we have to realize is that everything changes. Our own hometowns and our beloved Aruba. Sometimes for the better and sometimes not. We have to take the good with the bad.